Sumo Museum相撲博物館

Explore the history of Japan's oversized national sport

Sumo has been a popular spectator sport in Japan for centuries, originating as a ritual at Shinto shrines. The Sumo Museum will show and tell you all about it. Come discover the history and culture behind the sport at this pocket-sized museum in Ryogoku in Tokyo.

How to Get There

Easily accessible in half an hour from Shinjuku via the JR Sobu Line from Shinjuku Station.

The museum is housed inside the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Hall. The hall is a one-minute walk from Ryogoku Station on the JR Sobu Line, or a five-minute walk from the Toei Oedo Line exits for the same station.

Get to the heart of sumo

Located right inside the Ryogoku sumo stadium, the museum showcases rotating exhibitions of art and paraphernalia related to the history of sumo wrestling. Some of the highlights are nishiki-e woodblock prints portraying ancient champions and the richly embroidered kesho-mawashi—silk ceremonial aprons worn by high-ranking wrestlers.

You will also be able to see the banzuke, the official ranking list of all sumo wrestlers in Japan, and 500 sumo dolls. Entrance to this museum is free, courtesy of the Japan Sumo Association.